The right choice of varieties, knowledge of agricultural technology and the implementation of all the rules for caring for plants - only half the success in a difficult garden business. It is also important to know the timing of harvesting and ways of keeping it - only so you will be able to save vegetables for a long time. In this article we will tell you when to dig out carrots and beets, and where to store the harvest.
Terms of collecting carrots and beets
The opinions about the correct dates for harvesting carrots and beets vary considerably. Some truck farmers are sure that it should be done in the beginning and the middle of September, not letting root crops ripen in the ground and soak from autumn rains. Others, on the other hand, are sure that there is no need to rush to gather - it is better to wait until the vegetables are properly "stale", they will prepare themselves for the winter alone - and harvest the roots in late September - early October.
And yet when you remove beets and carrots - it's up to you. It is important only to remember that in any case, waiting for the installation of stable, especially strong (more than -3 ° C) frosts is impossible.
In terms of harvesting, do not rely on neighbors, even very experienced - because the timing of planting and varieties of vegetables you have with them, most likely, differ.
It is best to harvest after a technical ripeness. One of its signs is the yellowing of the leaves (however, in dry years this may indicate not a ripeness, but a low level of moisture in the soil). Withering of the central shoots and leaves is a sign of disease or damage to the vegetable pests. Such plants should be immediately removed to avoid the spread of the disease.
If the autumn is long and very warm, waiting for the onset of cold weather to collect root crops is not worth it - in warmth and moisture carrots and beets often begin to germinate - these are two-year plants. Sprouted root crops are poorly stored and become stiff, unpleasant to taste.
The optimal harvesting time for root crops is the end of September and the beginning of October. Initially, they dig up the beet, as often its root crops rise above the ground and suffer from frost. A week later dig up the carrots. In extreme cases, carrots can even carry a series of light frosts, but before that it is necessary to crush her tops, and even better - to cover the bed with lutrasil, spunbond or at least ordinary cloth (sacks, bedspreads).
Digging vegetables is better not with a shovel, but with pitchforks. Beets can be folded into heaps to ventilate and dry for a couple of days. Do not dry the vegetables not the sun - firstly they will start to fade, and secondly, the laying on the storage of warm vegetables worsens the ability of the crop to preserve. For carrots, drying is not required.
After harvesting, it is necessary to cut the tops. It is not desirable to break or tear it manually - so you can damage the root crop. It is best to use scissors or a sharp knife.
The beetroot is cut completely (but not affecting the root crop), the carrots are left with small "tails" (up to 2 cm).
You can not wash and peel the roots.
Carrot and beet storage
The question of where to store beets and carrots is also very important. Agree, it is unpleasant to realize that as a result of the wrong choice of place, the labor of the entire vegetable season went down-the vegetables spoiled in a couple of months.
To prevent this from happening, store root crops in a cellar or cellar, separate from fruit. Storage on the balcony is only possible if you are sure of reliable protection against frost -
Some gardeners dipped each root in clay or buried in boxes of sand. Meanwhile, if the temperature in the room with vegetables is constantly kept within + 1-3 ° C, carrots and beets are perfectly preserved by themselves - in ordinary wooden boxes, nets or simply piled in heaps.
To further protect the crop from rot and pests, you can sprinkle vegetables with lime powder. In this case, do not forget to rinse the root vegetables several times before cleaning.